Welex sells first Converge dryerless sheet line

By: Bill Bregar

March 27, 2013

Welex Inc. has sold its first Converge CTS dryerless sheet line. The line will feed an inline polylactic acid (PLA)-PET thermoforming system at a major North American packaging supplier. Welex did not identify the customer.

The technology eliminates the need and expense of conventional drying and recrystallizing systems.

CTS stands for conical twin screw said Welex Director of Sales Jim Nissel, who has completed trials over the past several years.

“Welex opted to build this new dryerless solution using conical twin screw technology which we have tested and found to be superior to parallel twin screw,” Nissel said. That includes better feeding characteristics for low bulk densities, higher pressure and torque capability, the lowest possible melt temperature, a reduced footprint and significant energy savings, he said.

David Schroeder, Welex president and CEO said the company has more than a dozen active proposals for the Converge CTS sheet line, in North America, Latin America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East.